On 24 and 25 April, 2026, an article titled “Why the One-China Principle Is So Important to the China-Malawi Relationship” by H.E. Lu Xu, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, was published in The Nation and Daily Times, elaborating on the importance of the one-China principle to China-Malawi relations. The full text is as follows:

On April 10, Xi Jinping, Chinese president and general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party from the Taiwan region, in Beijing. 

Xi stressed that no matter how the international landscape and the situation across the Taiwan Strait may evolve, the overarching trend toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not change, and the prevailing momentum for the Chinese on both sides of the Strait to come together will not change. He added that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait hope for peace and tranquility, improved cross-Strait relations, and better lives. Xi expressed the willingness to work with all political parties, including the KMT, as well as groups and people from all sectors in the Taiwan region, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, promote peace across the Taiwan Strait, improve the well-being of the people and advance national rejuvenation, on the basis of the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence.”

This recent development demonstrates the resolve of the central government of China to uphold the One-China principle and its sincere efforts to promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

I. The core concepts of the one-China principle

The heart of one-China principle is: there is but one China in the world, the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Separatist activities in any form must be firmly opposed, and all efforts made by the Chinese Government in realizing national reunification shall be supported. 

This isn’t just China’s position. The international community has endorsed this through the United Nations. Back in 1971, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. This resolution wasn’t ambiguous—it was crystal clear. It reads as “decides to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place where they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.” 

This resolution settled the issue once and for all, both politically and legally. It made it clear that there is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. In fact, the UN’s own legal office has stated that Taiwan is a province of China with no separate status. This is the authoritative global position.

However,separatists in Taiwan Province stick to the “Taiwan independence” separatist position, refuse to recognize the 1992 consensus and go all out to expand its so-called “international space”. They are deliberately obstructing and sabotaging cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, which goes against the interests and well-being of people in Taiwan. All these show that separatists in Taiwan Province are the chief culprits undermining peace across the Taiwan Strait.

II. The importance of one-China Principle to China’s foreign relations and China-Malawi Friendship

The one-China principle is the very foundation of modern international relations. To date, 183 countries, including Malawi, have built their diplomatic ties with China on this very bedrock. When China and Malawi signed the Joint Communiqué in 2007, this principle became the political cornerstone for the development of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Nowadays, adherence to the one-China principle has become a resounding voice across the African continent. In the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era adopted at the 2024 Summit of FOCAC, Africa countries reaffirm its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reaffirm that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. 

While the international community overwhelmingly support the one-China principle, a small number of countries and forces are bucking the trend. They’re doing everything they can to hold China down and pile on the pressure, using Taiwan as their go-to pawn. 

In fact, China’s reunification will not harm any other country’s legitimate interests. On the contrary, it will bring the world more opportunities for development, create more positive momentum for the prosperity and stability of the world. Indeed, it will make greater contribution to building a community with a shared future for humanity, to the cause of global peace and development, and to the cause of human progress.

III. China-Malawi relations will embrace brighter future based on the one-China principle

In the past 19 years, China-Malawi relationship has not only simply grown, but also has flourished. Political mutual trust has deepened, economic and trade cooperation has borne fruits, and the bonds between our peoples have grown closer than ever before. The driving force behind the wide-ranging successes in our bilateral ties has been clear. It is the unwavering adherence to the one-China principle by Malawi across all fronts. 

Soon after the establishment of diplomatic relations,China built the Bingu International Convention Centre, the Bingu National Stadium, the Malawi University of Science and Technology, the Parliament Building and the Karonga-Chitipa Road. All of these projects have become landmarks of China-Malawi friendship. But we didn’t stop there. The Judicial Complex, the rehabilitation of the M1 Road, the emergency food assistance,the debt relief, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines and many more are now in process. These all point to one truth: China is eager to share the opportunities arising from its own modernization, and to help advance Malawi’s development while improving the well-being of its people.

China highly commends the firm adherence to the one-China principle and consistent support for China’s reunification by overall sectors of the Republic of Malawi. The one-China principle is the reason that our relationship is so strong and thriving today and is also the foundation for a brighter future tomorrow. China stands ready to work with Malawi to continuously enhance political mutual trust, deepen the friendship between the two nations, firmly support each other on issues bearing on our core interests and major concerns, so as to promote the steady and long-term development of China-Malawi strategic partnership.